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''India ready for Australian challenge''

India skipper Jhulan Goswami is confident of stopping the Australian juggernaut.

St Lucia: India skipper Jhulan Goswami is confident of stopping the Australian juggernaut when they clash in the first semifinals of the Women T20 World Cup at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here on Thursday.

India's men's cricket was routed by Australia in the Super Eights stage but the Indian girls are quite confident of derailing Australia and making it to the summit clash, slated for May 16 at Barbados.

The Australian women have had an unbeaten run in the World Cup but Goswami is hardly worried.

"We have beaten Australia in the 50 overs World Cup Down Under. So we are pretty much confident that we can beat them in this format as well," said Jhulan.

Sulakshana Naik (59 vs Sri Lanka, 28 vs New Zealand and 11 vs Pakistan), Mithali Raj (52, 44, 33) and Poonam Raut (54 against Pakistan) have been the hub around which India have made match-winning scores.

And team manager Vidya Yadav said the girls were fit and raring to go.

"Our girls have been in good form. We are hoping they will continue to perform. All are fit and fine. They are in great frame of mind and are looking forward to the game against Australia," Vidya said.

Diana David has been the pick of the Indian bowlers, accounting for nine wicket in three matches. She has two four wicket hauls against Sri Lanka (4/12) and New Zealand (4/27).

"Left-arm spinner Gouhar Sultana, leg-spinner Priyanka Roy have also been impressive. Then we have Jhulan and Rumeli Dhar who can perform in big matches," said Vidya.

En route to the semifinals, India lost to New Zealand by 10 runs while crushing Pakistan and Sri Lanka by emphatic margins.